I have a really hard time decorating for holidays. We’ve moved just about 9 times in the last six years so it’s a feat if I even get regular decorations on the walls. And I just haven’t felt the motivation to buy anything that I’ll have to pack up and move in a few short months. Now that we’re in a home we own, I’m more excited about decorating for the holidays. Although I’m still really lazy about decorating for holidays that come and go at the blink of an eye. Are you like me?

How about we make something that can change with each of those holidays with very little effort?! I had a brilliant idea about doing a chalkboard wreath, but it’s been done before by No. 2 Pencil and The Home Depot. Both great ideas you must check out. I love how Melissa made a little American flag and hung her wreath with 3m hooks. I also love how the Home Depot’s tutorial doesn’t require any power tools, just purchase a medallion (I would probably paint the trim, though).

So here’s my take on the chalkboard wreath with a little more space for words and a funky shape (reminiscent of mid-century doors). This project is very straight forward, but I’d like to take you through each step so you can make your own.

Supplies for DIY Chalkboard Wreath Plaque:

wood

pencil

ruler

jig saw

sander or sand paper

black spray paint

chalkboard paint

ribbon

felt pads

chalk

First, you’ll want to measure out your shape. I wanted a 13 x 18 inch diamond, so I measured a 13 x 18 inch rectangle, measured center points of both axis and drew lines through those center points. I eyeballed the mini diamond because I was getting lazy, and I’m really good at marking parallel lines with in one inch distances, so I eyeballed about 3/4 of an inch away from each side and made a diamond with about 1 1/2 inch sides. Mark where you will be drilling your pilot hole.

Drill your pilot hole and cut out the middle hole. If you have a big enough bit, you could just skip the inner diamond and just go with a drilled hole. There’s no right or wrong way to do this. Then you’ll slowly cut out the diamond from your sheet of wood. I used a sturdy garbage can to hold the wood up to cut. If you have a sawhorse, use that.

You’ll definitely want to sand next! I used a veneered plywood, so the edges were a bit rough. I smoothed down those edges and the surface. You’ll want to sand down your piece even if you use MDF. Sanding will help paint adhere and create even coats. I used 220 grit sandpaper.

Here’s an optional step, but I feel like it makes the finished product look so much better. I spray painted my shape black. You’ll be able to get all of those little cracks in the sides evenly coated, it dries fast and you’ll use a lot less chalkboard paint.

Paint against the grain when applying chalkboard paint. To remove grain entirely, putty or gesso and sand your shape before priming it with spray paint.

Allow your shape time to dry. If you’re in a hurry like me, attack your piece with a hair dryer. It speeds things up significantly. Cover the piece with chalk dust. Wipe clean with a dry paper towel.

Looped folded end through the hole and under your knot. Tie a bow and trim ends.

Now I totally wish this idea was my own, but it wasn’t. My friend, Nikki left this little upside down hook on the inside of our front door when they moved out. I can only assume she used it to hold wreaths on the front door. She’s pretty brilliant, right?

If you have lots of wind in your area, you’ll want to put felt cushions on each corner of your chalkboard plaque to keep it from damaging the paint on your front door. And now you’re done!

Wouldn’t this plaque be perfect for parties with a, “Come on in!” written on it? You can also change out your ribbon to match each season, So easy!

Melissa

Mother of a precocious little girl & cuddly baby boy dramatically shifted Melissa's focus. Some things, however, have remained the same: She absolutely loves being creative with graphic design, calligraphy, sewing, bookbinding, painting, decorating and anything that keeps her mind & hands busy. Through her blog, Melissa declares to all things creative that, “I Still Love You”.